Chapter 74
"Madam, some of my good friends want to invite me out for a drink, what do you think?" Shen Linfeng was a little afraid that Yao Niang would not agree.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Go ahead, just don't drink too much."
Shen Linfeng was surprised: "Madam, do you really agree? Today is the Lantern Festival."
"My brother said that every Lantern Festival, scholars and men of letters like to drink, chat and compose poetry in the Chunfeng Manyue Tower. And this year is the year for the imperial examination. Although you are an official, it is okay for you to go. But there is one rule: you are not allowed to drink wine." Yao Niang straightened his collar for him.
She once heard her brother say at home that there is a type of friend who, if she knows that a man is henpecked or loves his wife, will create chaos and like to set traps for him. So she decided to be like Xie. It is better to let the man be free than to be too strict.
Shen Linfeng laughed when he heard it: "My dear sister, don't you know what I've been thinking about? My mother has been giving me a hard time these days just to accompany you, my sister the Goddess."
That's right. He has been with her since the Chinese New Year, whether it's playing chess or piano, or even washing her feet at night. You can say he is almost like a father and mother.
Yao Niang said angrily, "Your mother must think that I am unfilial. You can go now."
"I'm afraid she has no time to take care of it." Shen Linfeng thought to himself.
…
After Shen Linfeng left, Yao Niang suddenly felt a little pain in her stomach. She went behind the screen and took off her pants to see that her period had come. She had only had her period for one or two years, and it had never been very regular.
As expected, there was a slight pain in the lower abdomen. Gu Mama quickly asked someone to bring a menstrual belt to change her. She said, "Sister, this is a good thing. I noticed that your complexion has become much rounder these days. If I were to ask you, it's because you don't eat enough at home."
"I am also used to eating less." Yao Niang had always followed Xie to eat, and Xie ate less. For example, a normal person would have a plate of vegetables, but Xie usually only allowed half a plate of stir-fried food. She also had to eat vegetables at every meal and could not live without vegetables.
So at her age, it is easy for a normal woman to gain weight. For example, it is said that Wang Shi was not used to the Shen family's food but she still gained a lot of weight. Pian Yao Niang's face became slightly rounder. She does not like to be fat and does not like to gain weight.
Mother Gu said, "Grandma, I have something to say, but I don't know if it's appropriate or not. You're going to be a marriage mate soon, and you have to consummate your marriage after that. If you want to get pregnant sooner, you have to have some meat in your belly."
Yao Niang sighed and said, "It would be better if I don't have a baby. Forget it, let nature take its course. I don't want to eat so much just to have a baby."
Mother Gu thought that although the girl was a smart person, she still had the mind of a child.
The two chatted for a while, and Yao Niang was lying on the couch to rest, but Mrs. Shen said that she had sent someone to ask her to join a mahjong table. Mother Gu said, "Miss Zelan, our grandmother is not feeling well, look at this..."
Ze Lanye said in embarrassment: "Mother Gu, I was just responsible for passing on the message. Originally, Madam didn't plan to ask Grandma to come over, but a few ladies said they haven't seen you for a long time and wanted to see you."
Yao Niang had no choice but to get up and prepare to go. Not only she, but even Wang had to pay her respects every morning and evening before she could do her own things.
She had pain in her lower abdomen, her face turned pale, and bleeding was gushing out of her lower abdomen. This happened every time she had her period, especially on the first day when it was the most painful.
After finally coming over, Mrs. Shen said, "Your aunt and your second aunt are waiting for you."
Yao Niang thought to herself that her period had come, so why should she stay here to smile and chat? It was fine for the big occasions like the plays and drinking before, but now you asked me to come in the wind and snow. Since you have been unkind to me, don't blame me for being unfair.
She immediately covered her mouth and stomach, and forced a smile, "Madam, please come here, and the daughter-in-law will come over."
Mrs. Shen thought that she had run away a few days ago under the pretext of saying hello to her son, and now she didn't even come to greet the relatives. If it were them before, they would definitely be scolded. Their son should have married the eldest daughter instead. After all, the third Miss Yan was the youngest daughter at home, so she was so spoiled.
However, she didn't expect that when the daughter-in-law walked up to her, she staggered and collapsed to the ground.
Mrs. Shen was startled, and the people around Yao Niang hurried forward to help her up. Gu Mama said, "Madam, our grandmother can't stand the cold. She had her period today and she was in great pain. It's not intentional."
"She should have told you if she wasn't feeling well." Mrs. Shen thought it was bad luck, and was afraid that people would say she was mistreating her daughter-in-law.
But Yao Niang is not a pushover. As a daughter-in-law, she will not bully others like Wang Shi, who would kick people out when she feels uncomfortable. She must manage her superiors.
She immediately pretended to be dying and terrified: "Madam, it's all my fault, please forgive me."
Madam Shen said that she was finished, but Madam Shen II knew the truth. She thought that Yan was really generous and knew how to show weakness. Everyone sympathizes with the weak, and wealthy families are especially concerned about their reputation. It was her sister-in-law who loved to control others and was used to it.
"Madam, I'm fine, really fine." After saying this, Yao Niang made a move to get up.
It was the aunt who said, "Sister-in-law, why don't you have someone carry your nephew's wife back in a warm sedan chair to rest? This won't do."
Lifting a sedan chair? I'm still covering for you, right?
Yao Niang immediately said, "Thanks to my aunt's favor, I just can't bear to dirty this place. Madam, wait for my daughter-in-law to go back and rest for a while. If she feels better, she can come back to serve me."
Madam Shen said, "You should take good care of yourself before coming back."
"Thank you, Madam." Yao Niang leaned on Qing Dai and was supported by someone to get up. When she met pedestrians along the way, Hong Xiu shouted, "Grandma, please stop thinking about serving Madam. Who doesn't know how filial you are? You go out early and come back late on snowy days. The snow is over your ankles every day. Your whole body is frozen. You should take good care of yourself."
Yao Niang naturally had no frostbite on her body. Sometimes she was too cold and would even lie on the sedan chair, but as the saying goes, there is no construction without destruction.
If she tries to cover up for her mother-in-law so casually, she will not only be despised and unlucky in the future, but will also continue to be bullied.
As she lay there, Wang was gloating over the misfortune: "She doesn't even know how to serve her parents-in-law, and she fainted. It's really embarrassing."
In fact, although Wang stood in a proper manner, Madam Shen was not a person who liked to bother others. Usually, Wang would pay her respects in the morning and evening and then come back. She would only go there a few times to serve soup to her mother-in-law. Yao Niang, on the other hand, had to serve dishes in the morning and evening, and she had to stand in a proper manner after working for a long time. came, serving tea and water, and seeing them off. She was much more tired than Wang.
Chunluo said, "Second Madam, I met the First Madam outside. The First Madam looked pale, not like she was pretending, and she was held by the maids and servants. I heard that when the Madam sent someone to call her over, she said she was not feeling well, but the Madam's people insisted that she go over to serve, and she got away with it. Second Madam, no matter what kind of person the First Madam is, when are you going to visit her?"
Although Wang was happy about the misfortune and even scolded Yao Niang quickly, she still had to do her best to show her human nature.
"Let's wait and see who goes first, and then we go over." Wang said.
This was Wang's idea. After all, she was the younger daughter-in-law who came into the family later, so as long as she followed the example of the previous ones, she would not make any mistakes.
Second Madam Jiang was the first to come over to visit after hearing this. Shen Linjiang was still at home at this time. Seeing that she was going to visit, he also praised her: "Although your father is in trouble, your grandfather and brother are both officials. I heard that Mr. Zhushan also went back to Beijing with our father to report on his work. Maybe he can be of use in the future."
"Yes, I think so too." That day, Second Madam Jiang impulsively told Yao Niang about the cousin of the Han family, but the matter had never been spread out, which was enough to show that Yan was a tight-lipped person. She was also afraid that something really happened to her. After all, she was still young, and she didn't expect that Madam Shen would torture her like that.
She looked at her husband again: "My aunt is definitely trying to make things difficult for my daughter-in-law because of the incident with the eldest daughter of the Yan family. I'm afraid I'll be targeted if I go, but what's better than helping someone in need?"
Shen Linjiang shook his head: "The same goes for my aunt. Since she has been married into the family, I think my sister-in-law has done nothing wrong." He wanted to say that my aunt really had a bad heart.
But as the saying goes, word of the wise should not be heard, so the couple would not spread the news of their discussion.
Grandma Qing also talked about this matter. She and Shen Linqing had a respectful relationship. Shen Linqing was different from Shen Linjiang. Shen Linjiang and Shao were at least a loving couple outside, while Shen Linqing and her were purely arranged by their parents. But they still discussed all matters at home.
"I'm afraid my aunt won't be happy if I go, so I'll send someone to deliver something."
Shen Linqing asked: "How did it become like this?"
"Master, you have always been studying outside and don't understand these things in the inner house. I heard that Master Feng was at home a few days ago, so he asked Yan to accompany him. This is probably what made your aunt unhappy." Grandma Qing is also a daughter-in-law, and she thinks she understood it correctly.
Shen Linqing was speechless: "My aunt is old and confused."
Grandma Qing didn't want her husband to praise others. She just said, "It is a woman's responsibility to visit her parents every morning and evening. Even we often go to pay respects to our aunt. It's the same for Brother Yan's daughter-in-law."
"That's true." How could Shen Linqing say that filial piety is bad?
Therefore, Yao Niang had Jiang's second wife Shao come to visit her in person. When she saw Yao Niang lying on the bed, her little face amid her black hair, she felt even more sorry for her. She didn't know who was wrong directly, so she just said vaguely, "Your body is your own, so you still have to take good care of it."
Yao Niang nodded with a smile: "It's all because of my weak body."
"Stop talking like that. To be honest, it's not easy for us to be married." Shaw was very caring.
Yao Niang still blamed herself for her mistakes, and Shao comforted her a lot before she left.
After everyone left, Qing Dai stepped forward and said, "Young lady, why don't you tell Madam about the times when she treated you harshly? Let Madam Jiang help you spread the word."
Yao Niang said cautiously, "Don't think she's here to show concern for me, but who knows if she's trying to get me to tell everyone about it or what? Help me up quickly, I need to change my menstrual belt."
Qingdai knew that the reason why her daughter had been so obedient in visiting Madam Shen every morning and evening before was probably because of what happened today. Just like what happened on the farm back then, she seemed to be forbearing on the surface, but in fact, she had already prepared to embarrass Madam Shen.
This attack may have been unintentional, but waiting for this opportunity was not easy.
The servants naturally talked about it. So what if she was the mistress of a family? As the saying goes, justice is in the heart of the people.
Mrs. Shen felt very regretful. She said to Mother Zhou, "Lin Feng hasn't come back yet. If Lin Feng comes back, what will they say? What should we do?"
How dare Zhou's mother get involved in this? Shen Linfeng approached her in private last time and said that Yan was still young and asked her to help. If she said something, if Mrs. Yan was really in good health and his wife was fine, she would be resented by the eldest son.
So just when he was about to turn a blind eye, he heard someone outside say, "Miss Han is here."
Madam Shen asked Han Ruohua to come in. When Han Ruohua came in, Madam Zhou led the servants to retreat.
"What happened to your cousin's wife today? Have you heard about it?" Mrs. Shen asked.
Han Ruohua nodded: "I've heard a little bit about it."
"Originally, your aunt and second aunt mentioned that your cousin's wife could play mahjong and wanted to ask her to accompany them. How did they know that she was not feeling well? Have you visited her?" Mrs. Shen asked.
Han Ruohua smiled and said, "Aunt, I think this is all a misunderstanding. My cousin's wife has been married for almost three months. How come she didn't get permission from my aunt every time she had something to do before? No one expected that my cousin's wife would be in such a bad state this time. Why don't you give her more soup from the kitchen? This way, you can be considerate of my cousin's wife."
Mrs. Shen felt relieved after hearing this: "Yes, I'll ask the kitchen to bring the black chicken soup."
However, Madam Shen asked, "Ruohua, how is your health? Do you want to take some supplements?"
This niece had helped her so much, so she naturally wanted to be considerate. Han Ruohua said, "Don't worry, auntie. I'm in good health. Even if I have my period, it's not as serious as my cousin's."
Mrs. Shen thought that Linfeng's daughter-in-law was in such poor health, and her thin waist could be held up by one hand, but it was too fragile and frail. She was pretty, but she was not blessed. Ruohua, on the other hand, was charming and had a blessed face.
It's a pity that Lin Feng is already married...
A bowl of black-egg chicken soup was brought over, and Yao Niang said to Mother Gu, "Just put it on the table."
It was already midnight when Shen Linfeng returned from Chunfeng Manyue Tower. He was in a very good mood today. It was of course good to accompany Yao Niang, but he had many friends and they just chatted and laughed when they were together.
Yao Niang would usually leave a light on for him, but today when he came back it was pitch dark. When he came in, he saw the servants rushing forward to light the light. Shen Linfeng saw Yao Niang sleeping on the bed with her back to him, so he said to the servants, "Don't make any noise, just get me a basin of water quickly."
Xianhong went out and asked the maid to prepare water.
Shen Linfeng immediately rinsed his mouth, fearing that the alcohol would suffocate Yao Niang. After rinsing his mouth, he went forward to look at Yao Niang, only to find that Yao Niang seemed to have woken up: "Husband."
She even sat up and stretched out her arms. Shen Linfeng quickly hugged her, but she burst into tears. He was startled: "Madam, what's wrong?"
"No, nothing, I just feel unwell because of my period. Husband, can you go to the madam tomorrow and plead for me? It's all my fault. The madam asked me to go and keep her company today, but I had my period and couldn't hold on, so I fainted on the ground. This was really not what I wanted, and I was afraid that the madam would think I was embarrassed. I originally wanted to pay my respects tomorrow, but my lower abdomen hurts so much, and the bleeding won't stop today, so I'm afraid I can't go tomorrow." Yao Niang shuddered.
Shen Linfeng stood up suddenly and asked, "How could this happen? Weren't you fine the last time you came? Do you want to ask a doctor to come and see you?"
Seeing that he was about to leave, how could Yao Niang let him go? Although she felt some pain during her period, it was actually normal. Even though she felt pain today, she wanted to use this incident as an excuse.
"No need, I can't stand the cold. It's probably because the wind and snow are too strong today, and the wind blows directly in. It's okay." Yao Niang said "considerately".
Shen Linfeng held Yao Niang's shoulders. Seeing her pale face with tears on it, like a sick Xi Shi, he couldn't help but feel pity for her. "Good sister, I'll help you lie down first. Don't worry, I will tell the madam."
Yao Niang shook her head: "Please don't quarrel over me and my wife. It's all my fault. Who made my sister do such a ridiculous thing? I didn't want to marry into your family. Last time in Kaifeng, I was ready to decline the Shen family. But you and I have a destiny, and you treat me so well. I want to follow you no matter what happens."
"I know, I know everything. You have always been the most reserved person, but you threw aside your daughter's pride and came just to see me off. Although we have been married for a short time, I know how much love you have for me. It's all my fault that I didn't take good care of your health and always wanted to go out and play." Shen Linfeng felt quite guilty.
Yao Niang thought that it was a good thing that she met someone like Mrs. Shen, whose fighting ability was not very strong, otherwise, she would have to think of other ways.
It is also said that after Shen Linfeng washed and dressed, he deliberately used his big hands to cover Yao Niang's belly. He thought that since he was speaking for Yao Niang, and his sister Shen Mo always helped Yao Niang, Mrs. Shen would definitely not have any opinion about Yao Niang. Moreover, no matter what, Yao Niang had to live in the house, and his love alone was useless.
If the relationship between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law is not good, they are the ones who suffer.
But he didn't want Yao Niang to suffer, so Shen Linfeng said: "Yao Niang, why don't I ask to be sent out when the time comes, and we can be alone outside as a couple."
Yao Niang was the daughter of a prominent official, and when she heard this, she felt that it was not right: "You have gone from the clean stream to the muddy stream, right? You have finally become an editor in the Hanlin Academy, a position that many people envy, how can you be sent out to a distant place?"
"But my mother is becoming more and more left-wing as she gets older. She's fine when I'm at home, but I'm afraid she won't treat you well when I'm not at home?" Shen Linfeng was vaguely worried.
Yao Niang thought that this person was completely on her side, so she had nothing to worry about. After this incident, Mrs. Shen would definitely treat her well in order to maintain her mentality as a kind mother-in-law.
So, she was particularly humble and said, "No, I will endure some hardships if I can. Please don't hurt your filial piety for me. This is what I hate the most."
It would have been better if she didn't say that. The more she said that, the more flames ignited in Shen Linfeng's chest.
He used to sleep very well, but he tossed and turned for a long time before falling asleep.
But from the next day, Yao Niang naturally did not go to pay respects, so Shen Linfeng went to pay respects to Madam Shen in person. Madam Shen felt a little guilty when she saw him, and asked, "Is your wife feeling better?"
Shen Linfeng sighed: "She can't stand the cold. She was in excruciating pain last time, and it's even worse this time. She can't hold on any longer." He made up these words himself. Yao Niang also said that she would come to pay her respects in a few days, but of course he didn't allow it.
"Should we ask a doctor to take a look?" Mrs. Shen asked quickly.
If anything happens to Yan, the Yan family will have to settle accounts with her.
Seeing Madam Shen panic, Shen Linfeng thought that she should have thought of these things earlier, but she insisted on doing it. He said, "I took her pulse, and I didn't want to let the matter be exposed to others. But mother, Yao Niang married me when she was young, and I admire her. Her talent and character are also worthy of my love. If she really has any bad luck, I am afraid I will not be able to remember her in this life."
When Mrs. Shen heard her son say this, she couldn't help crying: "You are saying this just to anger me. Your brother is gone, and you are my only son."
"When the bride gets better, both you and I will still be filial to our parents. I just hope that mother will think about how worried her parents are about returning home and feel more sorry for her." Shen Linfeng was really sincere.
Mrs. Shen stroked her son's head and said, "Okay."
Lin Feng was so obedient when he was young. He didn't dare to argue about anything in front of him, but now he is like this.
I don't know if it was for the sake of her own face or because of Shen Linfeng's words, but Mrs. Shen personally visited Yao Niang and asked someone to bring her some nourishing soup. Yao Niang naturally cooperated and finished the reconciliation between the general and the prime minister.
Five days later, Yao Niang's menstruation had gradually disappeared, leaving only some residual, but she had recovered as before. She learned that it was Han Ruohua who comforted Mrs. Shen after this incident. She originally thought that Shen Mo would take advantage of her misfortune, but she didn't expect that this person disappeared.
Mother Gu said, "Maybe it was Grandpa who begged for it?"
"No, this guy is quite a character, a hero among villains."
"What kind of statement is this?"
"I originally thought that the Korean cousin looked stable and dignified. Even to Second Madam Jiang, I felt that Second Master Jiang himself was not self-disciplined. Now it seems that she is very careless. On the contrary, Shen Mo knows that she cannot be involved in such things. From the beginning to the end, it is as if she does not exist." Yao Niang is now in the Shen family's house, and she feels more and more that things are not that simple.
This time Yao Niang was well, and Shen Linfeng accompanied her to the temple to burn incense and relax. Mrs. Shen might not like Yao Niang, but when she saw that she wanted to light an ever-burning lamp for her great-uncle, she didn't want to stop her, so she just asked Shen Linfeng to take good care of her.
When the young couple went up the mountain, they met a nun in black robes carrying firewood. Yao Niang knew the nun and she seemed to be the wife of a prince.
"Do you want to help?" Yao Niang saw that she was quite thin, but still carrying firewood.
Rong Fanyin smiled and said, "No need." She had originally planned to travel around with her maid, but Xiaolan's family wouldn't let her. She had no choice but to become a nun here. Although her life was poor, she was comfortable.
When he saw Shen Linfeng again, he was stunned again. Isn't this Master Kongjian? In his previous life, Shen Linfeng was rejected by the Yan family. This matter made a big fuss. Although he passed the imperial examination, he was addicted to Buddhism and became a monk after only a few years. Mrs. Shen cried so much that her eyes were blinded.
How come he is married now?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
